Ross Stores March Comps. Rise 10%; Ups Q1 EPS View - Quick Facts

4/5/2012 8:48 AM ET

Ross Stores Inc.'s (ROST) March 2012 comparable-store sales grew 10% over the previous year, with sales climbing 15% to $955 million from $828 million a year earlier. The company added that the favorable weather throughout most of its markets, along with ongoing focus on value, drove broad-based merchandise and geographic sales gains during the month.

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Michael Balmuth, explained, "This year Easter falls two weeks earlier than in 2011, and it is always difficult to predict the impact on sales of such holiday shifts. While we hope to do better, we continue to forecast a 1% to 2% increase in April same store sales."

Looking ahead to the first quarter, the company increased its earnings per share guidance to $0.89 - $0.91, up from its prior forecast of $0.82 - $0.86. Twenty-six analysts project first-quarter earnings of $0.88 per share.

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